Food and Wine Trip in Europe: Belgium, Lyon, Burgundy, Piedmont and Cognac
Plan a food and wine trip through Europe: Brussels and Bruges, Lyon's bouchons, Burgundy, Alba's 2026 truffle fair and Cognac, with seasons, routes and classes.
Month by month
Weather, events, crowds and what is open, month by month in France and Switzerland.
Belgium
France
When to See Lavender in Provence: Bloom Dates by Area
When to see lavender in Provence: typical bloom and harvest windows for Valensole, Sénanque, Sault and the Drôme, with routes and field etiquette.
Lyon Festival of Lights 2026: Dates, Tips and Where to Stay
Lyon Festival of Lights 2026 runs December 5 to 8. Our local guide to the Fête des Lumières: history, best nights, crowds, hotels and a three-night plan.
Best Time to Visit France: Seasons, Regions and Events
The best time to visit France depends on where you go: Paris, the Riviera, lavender, harvest or Christmas markets. Our local designers explain each season.
France in January: Weather, Ski Season, Winter Sales and What's Open
France in January: real temperatures by region, the 2027 winter sales, ski season, truffle and Burgundy wine festivals, and what is closed until spring.
France in February: Nice Carnival, Menton Lemons and Peak Ski Weeks
France in February 2027: Nice Carnival and Menton Lemon Festival dates, ski school-holiday weeks by zone, weather by region and how to dodge the crowds.
France in March: Early Spring in the South, Late Snow in the Alps
France in March 2027: spring in Provence and Nice, late skiing, Easter on March 28, equinox tides at Mont-Saint-Michel, and real temperatures by region.
France in April: Gardens Reopen, Châteaux Wake Up and Spring Holidays
France in April 2027: Giverny and the Loire gardens reopen, Versailles fountains return, school holidays by zone, and real spring temperatures by region.
France in May: Long Days, Cannes, Roland-Garros and the May Holidays
France in May 2027: our favorite month. Real temperatures by region, the May holidays and bridge days, Cannes and Roland-Garros dates, and where to go.
France in June: The Longest Days, First Lavender and Fête de la Musique
France in June 2027: 16-hour days, early lavender in Valensole, D-Day anniversary, Fête de la Musique, the Air Show and real temperatures by region.
France in July: Bastille Day, Summer Festivals, Lavender and the Heat
France in July 2027: Bastille Day, Avignon and Aix festivals, the Tour de France finish, peak lavender, real temperatures and how we handle the heat.
France in August: When the French Go on Vacation, and Where to Go Instead
France in August: how the French vacation shapes Paris, the coast and prices, temperatures by region, August 15, early harvests and where we send travelers.
France in September: Harvest Season, a Warm Sea and Calmer Cities
France in September: grape harvest timing by region, the warmest sea of the year, Heritage Days, Mediterranean storms and real temperatures by region.
France in October: Vineyard Colors, Last Warm Days and What Closes
France in October: autumn colors in the vineyards, the last warm days on the Riviera, events, All Saints' holidays and what closes for winter on November 1.
France in November: Beaujolais Nouveau, Wine Auctions and the First Markets
France in November 2026: Beaujolais Nouveau on November 19, the Hospices de Beaune auction, first Christmas markets, ski openings and real weather by region.
France in December: Christmas Markets, Lyon's Lights and Ski Openings
France in December 2026: Christmas market dates, Lyon's Fête des Lumières on December 5-8, ski openings, holiday closures and real weather by region.
Germany
The Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Germany, Alsace and Switzerland, 2026 Dates
Confirmed 2026 dates and hours for Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Basel and Montreux, the best week to go, and three routes by train.
Switzerland
Interlaken Travel Guide: Jungfrau Region Bases, Excursions and Seasons
Interlaken and the Jungfrau region the way we plan them: 3 to 4 nights, the right village for your plans, Jungfraujoch on a clear day, and what is open when.
Lucerne Travel Guide: Old Town, Lake, Mountains and How Many Nights
Our Lucerne guide: two or three nights, the old town on foot, lake steamers, Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis, the best hotel areas and what changes in each season.
Switzerland or France for Your First Trip? How to Choose by Style, Season and Budget
Switzerland or France for your first trip to Europe? We compare them by traveler type, season, budget, transport and accessibility, with real trip prices.
Zermatt Travel Guide: How Many Nights, Where to Stay and What to Do
Plan Zermatt the way we do: two or three nights, the right hotel area, Gornergrat at dawn, Glacier Paradise, car-free logistics and what each season offers.
Best Time to Visit Switzerland: A Season-by-Season Guide
When to visit Switzerland for scenic trains, hiking, lakes or skiing: our Alps designers compare every season, month by month, with crowds and prices.
Switzerland in January: Snow, Ski Races and Quiet Cities
Switzerland in January: real temperatures by region, which mountain trains run, Lauberhorn and balloon festival dates for 2027, crowds and what to pack.
Switzerland in February: Carnival, Peak Snow and White Turf
Switzerland in February 2027: Lucerne and Basel Fasnacht dates, White Turf, real temperatures by region, school-holiday crowds and our trip ideas.
Switzerland in March: Spring Skiing, Early Easter and Ticino Sun
Switzerland in March 2027: spring skiing and ski-area closing dates, the Engadin Skimarathon, Easter on March 28, real temperatures and what to pack.
Switzerland in April: Spring Lakes, Closing Lifts and Sechseläuten
Switzerland in April 2027: which mountain lifts close for revision and when, Sechseläuten and Cully Jazz dates, real weather by region and trip ideas.
Switzerland in May: Green Valleys, Waterfalls and Reopening Lifts
Switzerland in May 2027: the reopening calendar for lifts, trains and passes, real rainfall and temperatures by region, holiday weekends and trip ideas.
Switzerland in June: Long Days, Full Waterfalls and Open Passes
Switzerland in June: 16 hours of daylight, snowmelt waterfalls, pass opening dates of recent years, real temperatures by region, Art Basel 2027 and routes.
Switzerland in July: Festivals, Heat and Every Mountain Open
Switzerland in July 2027: Montreux Jazz, Paléo and other festival dates, real temperatures by region, storms, crowds at the summits and where to swim.
Switzerland in August: National Day, Lake Days and Summer Crowds
Switzerland in August 2027: how National Day is celebrated, Lucerne Festival and Street Parade dates, real temperatures, crowd patterns and lake days.
Switzerland in September: Cattle Descents, Harvest and Clear Peaks
Switzerland in September: why we rate it the best month, désalpe and Neuchâtel harvest dates for 2027, real weather by region and changing timetables.
Switzerland in October: Golden Larches, Chestnuts and Closing Lifts
Switzerland in October: when the larches turn gold, chestnut season in Ticino, the closing dates of lifts and trains for 2026 and 2027, and real weather.
Switzerland in November: Above the Fog, Revision Season and First Markets
Switzerland in November 2026: which lifts and trains are closed, how to get above the fog, Christmas market opening dates, Thanksgiving week and prices.
Switzerland in December: Christmas Markets, Escalade and First Snow
Switzerland in December 2026: Christmas market dates by city, the Escalade and Klausjagen, ski-season openings, the Glacier Express return and weather.
Tailor-made, from France
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